New German women’s coach Wück unveils first squad with two newcomers
New Germany women’s team coach Christian Wück has called up two players for the first time as he annnounced his 23-player squad for friendly internationals against European champions England and Australia on Tuesday.
Leipzig striker Giovanna Hoffmann and Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Lisanne Gräwe are the newcomers for the games at Wembley against England on October 25 and against Australia in Duisburg three days later.
Wück is taking over from Horst Hrubesch, who was interim coach for almost a year and led the team to the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics two months ago.
“I’m really looking forward to finally getting started!” Wück said in a statement issued by the German FA.
“We in the coaching team have watched a lot of games in the women’s Bundesliga over the past few months, but also abroad, in England, Italy, France and the USA, in order to watch current, former and new national team players and exchange ideas with them.”
The squad also includes five players who were not part of the Olympic squad which was limited to 18 players.
The matches start preparations for Euro 2025 in Switzerland. The England game is a rematch of the Euro 2022 final Germany lost 2-1 in extra time against the hosts at Wembley.
The Australia match will mark the final appearance of captain Alexandra Popp who is ending her long international career in Duisburg with what will be her 145th cap.
The game will also see an official farewell for Marina Hegering and Merle Frohms who have already stepped down from the national team.
©dpa